TWC: We Would Just Love an Apple TV

Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) potential partners, if the company decides to launch a television set, appear ready to welcome it with open arms. Time Warner Cable (NYSE:TWC) chief executive Jeffrey Bewkes said at Business Insider’s Ignition conference on Wednesday that he hoped Apple built a television set in order to bring in some necessary disruptive innovation to the current industry setup.

How Did Bewkes Show His Love for Apple?

When asked about Apple’s potential arrival to the high-definition TV manufacturing space, Bewkes said: “I hope they do. I think Apple is a great device company.”

The TWC head explained the reasons behind his enthusiasm by saying that Apple’s strengths lay in its ability to invent intuitive user interfaces, a feature he thought the cable and TV industry currently lacked. “They [Apple] bring good interface and navigation skills,” he said.

However, Bewkes added that he did not believe Apple would be the only company to introduce an improved product to the TV space. Consumers will see “as many interfaces as you can get,” he said.

What is the Importance of the TWC Position?

While speculation regarding Apple’s possible entry into the space has persisted for a few months, content distribution rights vis-à-vis national and regional providers were being seen as a major hurdle. Getting some love from what is likely to be an important cog in those discussions is a big positive for Apple.

What Does This Mean for Apple’s Stock?

With investors keen on spotting upside potential from future products, any talk regarding the supposed Apple television set invariably offers a boost to the company’s stock. While the iPhone maker has never publicly confirmed the existence of such a device, several well-informed analysts are certain that an announcement is on its way.